Tag Archives: inspirational

What we’re reading this week!

More Womanish: She Survives is more stories of women, real women with real ish that they are always in the struggle to survive. Review for Womanish: WomanIsh. Yes…it’s all that the title enamored and more. Angelia Vernon Menchan once again has stepped outside of the usual and fully embraces real life stigmas many won’t address. Menchan takes the reader on a situation-based ride varying from love, self-esteem, lack of respect, pitfalls and even further questions the security of one’s stability while married. Not only does she utilize the muse smartly, she shows counsel and guidance, post story. For an author of Menchan’s realistic writing style and candor, she has touched me on more than one occasion in her past works. One thing is for certain, “WomanIsh” is a must read for 2016! Highly recommended for women of all walks of life, book clubs and the like. Loretta R. Walls CEO, Nu Cherte Publishing

“Like a slow, steady bass line, Sil Lai viscerally draws you into her aching journey to find her place in the world.”

—NILE RODGERS, Grammy award–winning composer, producer, cofounding member of CHIC, and author of Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny

From her humble beginnings in a white, lower-middle-class family to a career in modeling that propelled her into the upper echelons of New York City nightlife, Sil Lai Abrams shares her unique and exquisitely wrought account of a woman’s journey toward self-love and acceptance in a family that sought to deny her black heritage.

Author and activist Sil Lai Abrams was born to a Chinese immigrant mother and a white American father. At the age of five, her family was ripped apart by a divorce that would erase her mother from her life. In the wake of her absence, Abrams was left alone to grieve her mother’s disappearance and reconcile the growing realization that there was truly something different about her from the rest of her family members.

She was the only one in her family with a tousle of wild curls and brown skin. As a convenient lie, based in part on the desire to raise his children in a race-neutral household, her father would explain that her skin was darker than the rest of the family because she was born in Hawaii. At the age of fourteen, the man she thought was her birth father made the bombshell revelation that Abrams was not his biological child: that, in fact, she was the daughter of a man of African descent who didn’t know of her existence.

This shocking news would take her down a painful road to forge an authentic ethnic identity in spite of the overt bigotry in her community and her own internalized racism and self-hatred. A teenage runaway and high school dropout, Abrams would struggle with single parenthood, depression, abuse, and an alcohol addiction that nearly destroyed her. Eventually, she would begin a path to healing that helped her leave behind the shame over her birthright and move toward a celebration of her blackness.

In Black Lotus, Abrams invites readers along on her unpredictable odyssey filled with extreme highs and lows as she reassembles her psyche by sifting through the broken fragments of her family’s past. Her story will provoke readers to reexamine everything they think they know about racial identity while affirming the ability of the human spirit to triumph over tragedy. Black Lotus shines a light on the transformative power of self-actualization, personal accountability, and the importance of living authentically and unapologetically in spite of family or societal opposition.

REVIEW:

I was sent this book for an honest review.

I’m not very big on memoir’s of people I’ve never heard of, but Sil Lai Abrams, tells a story that touches the heart and pulls at the heartstrings. There are moments you want to reach out and give the child and hug and high five the woman she grew into regardless of the circumstances. Abrams journey through racial discovery, an absentee mother, and emotionless father makes the book less about the racial side of things and more about her traumatic childhood. Yet even with everything she endured, she became a woman unapologetic about whom she is and her life.

Dillon hadn’t been called by anyone. He’d called himself and he wasn’t ashamed of it. But no good can come from . . .

A SINFUL CALLING

Two years ago, to everyone’s surprise, Dillon Whitfield Black, the secret son of Reverend Curtis Black, boldly moved back home, married a woman named Raven, decided he was going to become a minister, and then founded a church right in the center of his living room. Today he’s pastor of a 1,000-plus-member congregation, and new members are joining weekly. Sadly, behind closed doors, Dillon is far from being a saint. Dillon has become more like the man his father was thirty years ago-consumed with money, power, and lots of women. His family may have let bygones be bygones, but they continue to keep their distance.

Not Alicia, though. This daughter of Curtis Black joins Dillon’s congregation, leaving her father’s church behind. The family has forgiven Alicia for marrying Levi Cunningham, the former drug dealer she had an affair with, but once Alicia realizes they will never fully accept Levi, she decides to see her family less and less. She and Levi are truly happy, however, guilt from her betrayal of Phillip and its aftermath casts a shadow over their wedded bliss.

But when Raven decides she wants a higher position in the church and Alicia hides a devastating secret, the entire family is affected in ways they don’t see coming. In the end, no one will be able to trust anyone . . . and for very good reason.

REVIEW:

The Black’s are back….The Black’s are back!!

Dillon hadn’t been called by anyone. He’d called himself and he wasn’t ashamed of it. But no good can come from . . .

Book 13 focuses on the lives of Dillion Whitfield Black, the first born child of Rev. Curtis Black and his daughter Alicia. When Dillion returns to Mitchell with plans to take over Mitchell’s mega church position, he didn’t count on real salvation taking root in his life. Married to Raven, Dillion’s relationship with the other members of the Black family are non-existent with the exception of Alicia and her husband Levi. As their bond grows strong, secrets hidden by both Alicia and Dillion begin to unravel and threaten to tear both of their lives apart.

After being ostracized from her family after her first husband’s death, Alicia struggles with some issues, she’s afraid to tell anyone including her husband Levi.

Can the pot call the kettle black?

Will the lesson’s taught weekly during Sunday service, by Rev. Black finally hit home. Faith, Love, Family, and forgiveness are all lessons that continually go around.

Over the years I’ve enjoyed all the books in the Curtis Black series, and this one was no different. Kimberla Roby tackled many issues such as depression, alcoholism, mental illness and family virtue and wrapped them all up in a pretty package that anyone could comprehend.

📚 WomanIsh📚

What is WomanIsh? It’s all the things women go through. The day to day Ish, the man Ish, the raising kids Ish, the I earn lots of money but still want to be cherished Ish, the I’m more than my womb Ish… The what you mean I’m old Ish… Sound familiar? Every Woman Has Ish…

REVIEW:

WomanIsh ~~ Defined by Alice Walker as the opposite of girlish…being a grown up…

WomanIsh is a collection of stories that center around women and the lives they chose. The decisions each of them have to make and live with. All of the stories, much like the decision they each have to make revolve around the man in their life. Each story is different and shares the encounter with the author, much like an intervention or session with Dr. Phil, Oprah or Iyanla Vanzant. WomanIsh is the cause, the effect, and the solution. WomanIsh is the making of a decision, the wavering, and the standing your ground of consciousness. WomanIsh is taking the very thing you desire and making it yours, the dealing with the consequences. That is WomanIsh.

The Stories:

There are several stories encased in this book, I’ll share a few that stuck with me.

Her UnEmpowerment: Betta’s story

Out of the frying pan and into the fire! Betta at the age of 39 became involved with a man, whom at the time she didn’t know was married, but violent nonetheless. Roy was everything Betta thought she wanted, he took her out, provided, and sexed her on the regular. What she didn’t expect were the beatings. After an encounter with John, Betta assumed she’d found better. John treated her like she wanted and desired to be treated until she stepped out of line. Just like the other old saying goes, the grass ain’t always greener on the other side. However if you take care of it by any means necessary, your grass can flourish. It’s never too late to live a life without pain.

When I married…I didn’t love him: Mary’s story

There are hundreds of reason women and men choose to marry. The #1 reason often being “in love”. Mary’s choice was more about the bigger picture. Marriage takes more than undying love to sustain them and Mary felt the swooning or big fall wasn’t it. After 35 years of marriage, Mary loved her husband just as much as he loved her. Hot relations come and go but a marriage of sustenance endures for a lifetime.

It’s my turn…damn the rest: Kenya’s Story

Reading Kenya’s story, had me singing “I ain’t saying she’s a gold digger…” Kenya at best was ambitious and goal oriented, however, her darker side craved the excitement derived from obtaining different men. Kenya married George, a man she felt was beneath her, he was too meek, too soft-spoken, too sweet. He wasn’t hard nor a thug. He didn’t strive for more than what he had and was happy with that. After Kenya achieves her goal of becoming a P.A. her itch returns. Too little, too late! Kenya learns the lesson.

I loved men before I changed: Lena’s story

This story was different. Lena was married for years her husband. However at the turning point of life, she found herself attracted to another. Hurting her husband, Aaron was never intentional for Lena. She just wanted to live her life.

The common thread in all the stories, is Women, doing Womanish things. Standing by their decisions, good bad or indifferent. I would recommend this book and the lessons it contains. 4.5 Stars

Hyacinth Manor matriarch, Rosa Stark, is known for her wisdom and guidance when it comes to matters of the heart. That is, until the matters concern to her own heart. When she stumbles upon the man who could be her soul mate, will she look past preconceived notions and give love a chance?

Rosa…Rosa…Rosa!

Being 62 and never married is getting the best of Rosa Starks, owner of Hyacinth Manor. After being privy to the magical love that occurs at the manor and specifically Room Ten, Rosa starts to doubt she’ll ever find her soul mate…the love of her life. Yet even in her moments of doubt, higher powers are working things out in her favor.

When life suddenly takes a drastic turn and Rosa ends up in the hospital, Rosa acquiesced to come to terms with certain factors of her life. After her release, Man takes her home and the Love knocks him right upside the head…

Suddenly smitten with the last remaining single employee of the Manor, Freeman’s happiness also catapults Rosa into fulfilling her desire to find a descendant of Essie and Richard Jardel. However, the old saying goes…be careful what you look for.

…You just might find it, wrapped in an unexpected package. Rosa discovers more about herself as this story progresses. She definitely learned that even at 62 love can find you.

I’ve enjoyed each book of the Latter Rain series. Joy and Pain took on a twist I wasn’t expecting and neither was Rosa! Feel good stories like these make you realize that love isn’t contained to one certain idea about when it can or will occur.

📚 Suicide Watch by Janell 📚

What you don’t know can kill you. A wave of suicidal behavior has gripped the nation with no concern for race, gender, or age. Many think it’s just a trend, but inspirational singer Candace Tremont knows better. Since witnessing the suicide of her husband five years prior, she’s committed her life to fighting the spirit of depression. Unfortunately, suicidal thoughts and dreams also plague her mind, making the war more personal than anyone around her realizes. Unfulfilled with periodic and low-paying gigs, Candace yearns for an opportunity to touch more lives. Her prayers are answered—or so it seems—when she is offered a temporary job at Ontario Correctional Facility, performing for suicidal female inmates. A surge of self-harming behaviors has put the facility at risk for shut down, and Candace’s music might be the staff’s final hope of keeping their jobs. In addition to a substantial fee, Candace is given the assistance of the handsome Julius Barnes, one of the prison’s psychologists who believes her music can help reduce the lethal behaviors of the incarcerated population. However, Apollius, a fallen angel committed to destruction, has other ideas for the inmates, and won’t give up his control over these women so easily. A supernatural battle of epic proportions has ignited in Upstate New York, and the consequences could be fatal. Are Candace’s songs of faith powerful enough to save the lives of the inmates and keep the facility from closing down indefinitely? Or will her interference with Apollius’ plan make her the next target?

REVIEW:

Following the death of her husband, Candace Tremont felt her life was in shambles. Knowing she’d never lived to her full potential during her marriage, Candace finds new purpose after death. Julius Barnes can’t believe that Letizia is gone, by suicide no less. At the funeral of his childhood friend and celebrity, Julius lays eyes on Candace whom he hasn’t seen in years. After hearing her singing the most tranquil, spirit lifting words he’s ever heard, Julius feels a peace beyond understanding.

Either through sheer coincidence or divine interaction that their paths crossed Candace and Julius lives both changes after that chance meeting. Back at OCF, Julius’ job as Psychologist is on shaky ground after the double suicide of two inmates within the same hour. Feeling as his back is against the wall, Julius urges his supervisor to take on a daring and drastic therapeutic session for group therapy.

Dark forces are working hard to destroy the lives of inmates at OCF, will their plan succeed and successful close the doors to the facility? Apollius’ is confident in his conniving and views his imminent success as the gateway to greater deeds in the underworld.

It is my whole hearted opinion that the main goal of any author is to have their work reach out and touch the reader in profound ways. Although this is a fictional novel, the depths of the words and meaning goes far beyond mere fiction. This author has undertaken a subject matter that affects millions of people daily. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Combining spirituality and music therapy to combat the stronghold of depression brings this fictional piece to reality. This book evokes robust reactions at various times while holding the you captive with each passionate stroke of her pen.

While I highly recommend this book, I must include this disclaimer: this book is highly suggestive. The language while not vulgar nor overbearing with Christianity does deal with the spiritual warfare of souls. Most all religions believe in the forces of good and evil and that spirits can dwell in beings and words.

📚 Never say Never 📚

In this emotionally charged and inspiring novel, a passionate and dangerous love affair threatens to destroy both a marriage and a friendship.

In this emotionally charged and inspiring novel about a love triangle, secrets between best friends threaten to blow up friendships and a marriage and change lives forever.

When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey, dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her. Jamal and Chauncey grew up together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned. . . .

REVIEW:

Can best friends form a bond closer than sisters? Miriam, Emily and MicheleLee all met in college and their bond became like sisters from another mother. Each of the ladies took a different path in life, Miriam: a stay-at-home mother of three boys (married to Chauncey best friend of Jamal), Emily: a well-known Child Psychologist, gave up her heritage when she married Jamal, and MicheleLee: lives the single and loving it life as t.v. journalist.

Chauncey and Jamal have been best friends since grade school. There’s nothing the two wouldn’t do for each other. They eventually met and married their college sweethearts, who are also best friends.

The sudden death of Chauncey changes everything for friends. How will they survive this loss? Will the grief of losing a husband, brother and friend bring them closer together or catapult them into a dire set of circumstances?

This multicultural story of emotion, romance, loss, sorrow and grief will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author takes us on an engaging ride, slipping in flashbacks that show the bond of sisters and brothers in the story. Not only does this book tackle broken relationships it also explores the art of forgiveness. Can you forgive those who’ve broken the sacred bond of trust? Dive in and find out.